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Matt's Goal!

We knew it was going to be a tough game and that’s what happened in the second half but we managed to come through in the end"

Matt Doherty

Matt Doherty today confirmed he is definitely claiming the winner from Saturday’s game against Bristol City – despite his team-mates trying to take it off him!

The in-form defender got a vital touch to Bakary Sako’s cross in the closing stages at Ashton Gate which replays have shown would probably have crossed the line despite the desperate attempt to clear from Aden Flint.

It followed up a brace for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in midweek, and prompted some frenzied celebrations with the sellout away following.

“All the lads are trying to say it was an own goal but there is no way they can take it off me!” says Doherty.

“I think it was about being in the right place at the right time.

“I like getting forward – I wasn’t able to do it so much last season because of the way we were playing and not getting much of the ball.

“It is slightly easier to do it in this league and I found that during my loan spell with Bury as well.

“But at the same time I also need to remember I’m a defender!”

It was certainly the clichéd ‘game of two halves’ with Wolves in total control in the first period and then City hitting back after the interval with an equaliser from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

That prompted some sustained Robins pressure, but after Carl Ikeme had made an excellent double save from Sam Baldock, Wolves finished the stronger and were rewarded with Doherty’s winner.

“We started the game well and Sako scored an unbelievable goal,” he recalls.

“The second half we seemed to step off it a bit – I’m not sure why – although Bristol City did improve and start attacking us more.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and that’s what happened in the second half but we managed to come through in the end.

“We deserved to be two or three goals up at half time but when we didn’t we knew they would come back at us.

“They had a patch when they were really on top and Carl Ikeme made an unbelievable save.

“But we got through it and we deserved to come away with the win.”

Doherty, currently in talks with the club over extending his contract, has been impressed with the form of both Kevin Doyle and Bakary Sako, both of whom continue to be linked with possible moves away.

He acknowledges there may be a situation where offers would need to be accepted given Wolves’ League One status, but remains happy to be playing in the same team!

“If he (Doyle) left, we’d probably have to get two strikers because he’s that good – it’s not just his hold-up play, but he’s good on the ball and he can go past people, everything really,” said Doherty.

“I don’t think we’ll get a striker as good as him who will come to League One.

“We’d love to keep him but he’s got ambitions and he’s maybe too good for this league so I’m not sure if the club can keep him.

“He wants to play as high as he can so I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to play somewhere higher.

“But I also wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed and tried to get us up.

“It’s the same with Bakary Sako.

“You’d think they’d maybe be gone at the start of the season but they’re still here.”